MovieChat Forums > I Walked with a Zombie (1943) Discussion > The Skeleton Key...

The Skeleton Key...

posted 16 years ago by Mr_Ectoplasma
5 replies | jump to latest

I'm hoping I am not the only one who noticed, but did anyone else see many similarities between this film and the 2005 horror movie The Skeleton Key? Both involve a catatonic character, a nurse who is trying to 'cure' that person of their curse, and all the Voodoo themes and whatnot-- I was just curious if anyone else had seen both films and picked up on this, because I'm seriously wondering if the writers of The Skeleton Key drew inspiration from I Walked With A Zombie, because some of those similarities are too close to ignore.

With gorilla gone, will there be hope for man?

[–] LeaBlacks_Balls 16 years ago

The similarities stood out to me. I loved Skeleton Key and I really liked this movie. The Skeleton Key's plot was far more complex though.

The JUNGLE GIRLS are coming!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7678743641&ref=nf

[–] brucepantages-1 16 years ago

I found The Skeleton Key to be a tight example of a well done horror movie - a very rare commodity these days. I think it stands very well on its own legs, and really didn't feel they had borrowed anything from Val Lewton. The Skeleton Key renewed my faith in filmmakers and their ability to make a truly intelligent horror movie. I can see how someone might see similar themes in it and in I Walked With a Zombie, but the story and its eventual outcome is so different that I certainly don't think they were borrowing from the older picture.

[–] LeaBlacks_Balls 16 years ago

The thing that stuck out to me was a nurse coming to take care of a patient that was under some sort of spell. Everything else was different.

The JUNGLE GIRLS are coming!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7678743641&ref=nf

[–] mastrmeb 16 years ago

Yea, I've never seen the movie, but I knew enough about ti to realize that there was some ripping-off going, but what can you do? Especially now with Hollywood's desperation, it seems all the good old classics are getting remade: Topper, Pink Panther, etc.

I just hope enough people realize how good the old days were for film.

[–] MystMoonstruck 15 years ago

If you haven't seen "The Skeleton Key", please do not attack it as "ripping off" another movie. It absolutely does not! I have seen both films many times and consider them wonderful films. Just because voodoo and a nurse are involved doesn't make "TSK" a "ripoff"!

Try watching the film, as there are excellent performances by the cast, with Kate Hudson very good when I did not expect it of her. It's one of the few times I didn't think of Goldie Hawn while watching her; she's completely her own person in it. The story is complex, and there are no lurid moments. Do yourself a big favor and watch it. For one thing: I don't recall a zombie in "TSK".

By the way, I'm watching "I Walked..." right now. Since it started airing on TV in the Fifties, I'm certain that I've seen this film more than 100 times. I've seen "TSK" at least 25 times. They're both excellent low-key horror films.

~~MystMoonstruck~~